[AckerDackerly]

I am looking at an LJ20 for sale nearby (Missouri USA).

One of the things I am looking at - if the stock engine is in really bad shape - is exactly what engine can be fitted without an adapter to the stock LJ20 transmission. Something 4-cycle would be nice but not required.


Any ideas/suggestions?

[303zuke]

Short answer - Nothing!

Longer answer, there is no 4 stroke engine that could be bolted up directly to the LJ20 transmission. There 4 stroke engines that share similar gearboxes to the LJ50 engine/gearbox and it is simple enough to fit an LJ80 gearbox into an LJ50 to fit an F8A/F10A/F5A-T/F6A-T/F8B-T. But the LJ20 gearbox is physically smaller (shorter) than the LJ50/LJ80 gearbox, in fact so too is the transfer case, meaning a retrofit is out of the question.

How bad is the current engine? They're not impossible to rebuild, and many of the parts are the same as LJ50 and available. If you're real keen, it's possible to fit (find one first!) an L60 440cc engine, or bore the cylinder block out using the pistons used to make the 600cc/660cc "Big Bore" LJ50's! Lots of possibilities beside going down the 4 stroke route. (Boo 4 strokes! )

[sideways]

/303 got the ninja on me

I'm not sure but you may be able to swap in an LJ10 or early LJ50 engine, but I think you'd have more luck finding an LJ20 engine over there.

No 4 stroke motor will fit the standard gearbox, suzuki didn't make a 4 stroke car in that era. You could potentially swap in an LJ80 motor and gearbox with some work. You'd need to swap to an LJ80 bonnet and the car would be uselessly undergeared. Also all the LJ20 drivetrain components are smaller than LJ80 and questionably up to the task.

An LJ20 motor wont cost much to rebuild, it seems a lot of guys on LJ10.com have it sorted. If it's a top end rebuild that's very cheap and easy, the crank requires more parts and a 2 stroke specialist though.

IMO an LJ20 is such a rare and unique car that it would be a shame to swap out the engine, which is a large part of what makes it special. If you want a more powerful, 4 stroke car then buy an LJ80.

[bumstein]

sideways wrote:

IMO an LJ20 is such a rare and unique car that it would be a shame to swap out the engine, which is a large part of what makes it special. If you want a more powerful, 4 stroke car then buy an LJ80.

Sooooo much this!! Leave a beautiful old thing as it is!! Preserve it

[AckerDackerly]

I haven't had a chance to see it so I really don't know much about it's condition. The seller says it needs work on the "breaks" and that it runs and drives.

Once I get to see it's condition (the body looks pretty good) I'll decide if I want to buy it.

Now that I know about the swappable situation, I think I'll look at the purchase from a "rebuild the current engine" standpoint.

He wants $3000 US (roughly $4000 Aus) but I am going to try for $2000. He seems pretty motivated.

I'll probably sell the tintop project - and maybe the Samurai (both are '88 1.3l models). I got too much stuff...

[AckerDackerly]

thanks for the advice!

I will probably use it to putter around town running errands once I get it running properly.

I'd REALLY like a Mighty Boy, but that would be a bit expensive over here as we never imported those to the states...

[Gwagensteve]

Why on earth? They’re terrible.

[bumstein]

I like mine a lot!!